DACHSER optimizes its pioneering rolling container for store deliveries

The Retail Box is designed for transporting hanging and flat garments to retailers, but also improves logistics in other sectors.

In fashion logistics, the aim of the Retail Box is to deliver hanging and flat garments to stores throughout the DACHSER European Logistics network—while keeping the garments intact, clean, and wrinkle-free. The flat items are stored in containers on the floor of the Retail Box under the hanging items. Now, two new models feature simplified and intuitive handling, thus enabling even more efficient transportation. Not only can these state-of-the-art boxes be assembled and disassembled in a few simple steps, but it’s also possible to fold them up when empty. That means the Retail Boxes can be stored in a shipping warehouse or a shop to save space until they’re loaded with clothing for transport or taken away again by the driver.

DACHSER Retail Box classic and small

DACHSER also optimized the design in terms of safety and durability. The “rolling closet” is now made entirely of metal and is fully enclosed. It also offers the option of using a seal or lock to secure the contents even better against unauthorized access. In some cases, the value-added transport solution makes it possible to dispense with costly outer packaging. Other advantages include cost efficiency and easier handling at the point of sale.

“Together with our manufacturer, we’ve developed and tested the new Retail Box models in close collaboration with our customers. Being familiar with the day-to-day activities in the store helps immensely in tailoring the transport product to the needs of retailers in the best possible way,” says Uwe Riechel, Department Head DACHSER Fashion Logistics.

While the Retail Box classic has the dimensions of a euro pallet and a height of 1.9 meters, the newly developed Retail Box small has the same height but is otherwise more compact, with a length of 80 centimeters and width of 60 centimeters. “Due to market demand for small delivery quantities, we’ve developed a model for half-pallets in addition to the Retail Box classic,” Riechel explains.

Sustainable transport solutions for the fashion and other industries

In enhancing the Retail Box, DACHSER also considered the possibility of using it in other sectors that face similar challenges when delivering to stores in city centers or shopping malls, such as the cosmetics and electronics industries. There are no plans to use it for shipping food.

In addition to the two Retail Box models, DACHSER Fashion Logistics offers its customers another innovative transport solution: the ProFashional Box. This was specially designed for global shipping of hanging and flat goods in air freight.

The design of both the Retail Box and the ProFashional Box took sustainability into consideration. For one thing, these designs make optimal use of the cargo space, which is a particular challenge when transporting hanging goods. For another, the two transport solutions are reusable, meaning there is virtually no need to procure packaging materials and then dispose of them at great expense. According to an initial estimate by DACHSER, the use of a Retail Box classic with an expected product lifecycle of at least 150 shipping tours can save over 4,000 kilograms in packaging material. This in turn has a positive impact on the carbon emissions generated when shipping goods.